Holy Trinity, Churchville is privileged with a long, proud and well-documented history. We are proud of our church, both the small Gothic Revival building, and the community who have built, loved and shared that building for over 150 years of serving Our Lord.
Just after the Civil War in 1866 both the economy and the social fabric of Harford County were devastated. Local landowner, Dr. David Harlan was convinced that, in this era of pain and chaos, much could be done towards spiritual healing and increased stability if the Episcopal community in the Churchville area were to have a church building in which to meet locally. Upon his retirement as Medical Director of the Navy of the United States to his farm in Churchville, Harlan donated the land for the church and the cemetery. He also financed the building and furnishing of a frame church capable of seating at least 150. Dr. Harlan donated the funds anonymously that included building of a rectory, a barn, outbuildings and parish day and boarding schools.
In the beginning Holy Trinity was known as a mission church of Deer Creek Church. Monies were placed in the hands of the Rector of Deer Creek, the Reverend Edward A. Colburn. In 1867 Colburn became the full-time Rector of Holy Trinity, leading the church for 34 years. The first service was held on July 7, 1867.
In 1877, a few days before Christmas the frame church building sadly burned to the ground. Services proceeded, however, as the congregation decorated the ruins with boughs and berries and salvaged, cleaned and placed on the altar and some of the pews. Working together for a shared purpose and common good had become already an entrenched part of the witness and faith of the fellowship, as we believe it still is today.
A new stone church was completed within a year. The stone used is still quarried in Churchville on Calvary Road. The building is trimmed with Port Deposit granite and roofed with slate from Cardiff, Harford County. The 13th Century English Gothic style structure is largely unchanged since 1877.
Our Parish House was built in 1961. The work, with a major expansion in 1984-85, was accomplished mainly by our parishioners’ own labor. It contains the present kitchen, offices, choir room, Harlan room and classrooms.
In 2004, the parish purchased a 1980 Moller pipe organ and had it reconditioned and reconfigured in a new case and in 2020 the organ once again was reconditioned.
Holy Trinity was entered into the National Registry of Historic Places in December 2002.
In 2017 we celebrated the 150th anniversary of Holy Trinity. It was an occasion of grateful reflection and joyous renewal. A more complete church history may be found in our 150th celebration booklet found in the Parish House.